Cindy Knoke

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Germanic Street Signs: A Mix of Old & New~

I promised you more of the intricate and immensely charming Germanic Street signs one finds while strolling in medieval towns. This one is in Nuremburg Germany.

New Merchants have continued the medieval sign tradition in these remarkable old towns. Bamburg Germany.
Some are clearly newer. Melk Austria.

In Medieval times, many people were illiterate, hence the necessity for the visual imagery of these signs. Krems Austria.

Maintaining the tradition of advertising with these signs gives one the incredible feeling of walking back in time. Regensburg Germany.
This sign is on Albrecht Durer Street in Nuremburg, Durer’s home town.

Some signs are clearly older. Passau Germany.

I am impressed with the care taken by people in these old towns, over generations, to preserve these amazing art forms for us to wander by and admire. Passau Germany.

It is also heartening to see newer signs keeping the art form alive. Passau Germany.

I know there is a museum in Austria that houses some of the older medieval ones. People who want to acquire an old one, must pay a very dear amount. Even just having a new one built is pricely, so you can see the communal committment to preserving the art form.

You can find these signs in many old medieval towns all over Europe. The largest collection of conserved signs are in German speaking countries which is a visual feast because one cobblestone street my have 20 signs on it.

Loved ’em all, Cuz. They not only have a look, but also a voice that speaks to the eyes. I’m beginning to believe that the more modern and contemporary we become, the less intelligent and artistic we become. 🙂

It’s delightful to see that modern merchants are so committed to carrying on the tradition of the shop sign. The medieval ones, however, have an intricacy to them and a way of telling a story that doesn’t get replicated with the modern versions. Lovely capture of the wreath and lantern one in Krems, Austria.

Looking at some of your last postings I do have the impression you are taking a similar boat-trip as we did this Summer, going from Amsterdam up to Budapest. It was given to me and my wife by our Canadian uncle who was with us and his sister (my wife’s mother). It was really a grand experience, leaving us with some very nice reflections and pictures to keep in our head forever. (Though I must admit sometimes I seem to forget much easier.)

Yes, exactly what we did! It does take you to some incredible places. We stayed in Amsterdam and Budapest before and after. It was particularly lovely with all The Christmas Markets, and no tourists since it was late November. Be well my friend and so happy to learn I was following in your footsteps!

OH we need some bling to wash away all the bright lights of our now busy shopping area I loved it more when I came here in the 80’s so I do what I can to make tiny spots with the #gardenclub shine brighter this year all the Roses will be so beautiful.

http://creativeexpressionsbysherri.blogspot.com/ Cindy I just ran into your profile pictures, you are pretty and have a beautiful pair of spiritual eyes
My daughter Michele, is doing a blog here..I will let you know what the link soon…
Sherri

You are very kind Sherri and I am very much looking forward to meeting your daughter here in blogdom. Let me know her blog link when she is up and running and tell her Welcome for me! Merry Christmas Sherri~ ❤

http://turningpointsoulutions.com/
you can comment if you like…she started it and got 10 likes…There is a gal that is helping her…but a comment from you my dear friend would be so nice…she has had her knocks for sure…
Cindy are wordpress doing something different they seem as though I can put the links but not the pictures..Hmm
thank you,
Merry Christmas
with love for you and your family..
Sherri

I enjoyed looking at the elaborate new signs and ornate old signs. My Grandma came over from Germany but I enjoy all European photos and the major trip to see all the countries there is on my ” master bucket list” Cindy. I was blessed with low costs for students trips in H.S. and made it to Valencia, Barcelona, Madrid, and the gorgeous island of Mallory in Spring, 1974 with Spanish Club. 🙂

You are speaking to the Queen of typos so no worries Robin. We have been to Spain a couple times but never made it to Valenica, Madrid or Mallorca, and will go to these places in the spring. You were lucky to see them in HS! Happy New Year dear Robin~

Thank you for the fine photographs that reflect pride in one’s past and the desire to maintain such worthy values. Once when at Plymouth (Massachusetts) Plantation and looking at the way of life for the pilgrims (half of whom died in the first winter), I noticed some German tourists (they really get around.) I thought, we take pride in the age of this plantation, and they are probably thinking that we Germans had been brewing centuries before. Not just Lowenbrau. “Zum Albrecht Durer. JW. Augustiner Brau Munchen gegrundet 1328”